How to Take the Most Relaxing Bath of Your Life

Set the mood for your bath by putting on your favorite playlist or album. Pick something that makes you feel happy and relaxed. You can also use this time to listen to a podcast or meditate, which is my personal go-to.

An essential step in creating ambiance is lighting a few candles. My favorite is the Diptyque Baies Candle ($68). Place them throughout the room so that when you turn the lights off, the space is filled with a beautiful glow.

Adding essential oils to the room can transform the soak into an aromatherapy experience. You can diffuse your favorite essential oil to fill the room with the scent or add a drop to your inner wrists and behind your ears for a more targeted experience. I like using lavender because it gets me ready for bed, but chamomile, ylang ylang, or citrus oils (if you want to feel invigorated) also work.

You can enhance your soak by adding bath salts to the tub. The Herbivore Botanicals Calm Bath Salts ($18) contain Himalayan pink salt crystals, floral ylang-ylang, and natural vanilla.

Make the soaking experience way more enjoyable by adding a bath bomb or bubbles to the mix. For a bath bomb, the Lush Twilight Bath Bomb ($8) fills your tub with a dreamy pink hue and smells of lavender oil to reduce stress. Or, if you prefer bubbles, try the L'Occitane Lavender Harvest Foaming Bath ($39).

Take advantage of this time to do a soothing or deeply hydrating face mask. It can be of the sheet mask, peel-off mask, or wash-off variety — whatever you're feeling. I like to use the time to let a restorative face mask work its magic, like the Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask ($48) paired with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($20).

Grab a gook book and use the time to unwind and get lost in it. Reading in the bathtub can be a great way to detox from technology and get you ready for bed.

Another area you can give a little TLC to? Your hair. The bath is a great time to do a hair mask because you can easily let it soak in mess-free and rinse it out when you're finished. I like the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Weightless Mask ($38).

Refreshments are always a must. I can't think of a better way to relax than with a glass of my favorite wine within arms reach. Pour yourself a generous glass of your preferred beverage, alcoholic or not, before hopping into the tub — it's all in the name of self-care.

After soaking for a little while, you can finish off the whole DIY spa experience with a body treatment or mask. Try exfoliating your skin with the Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish Exfoliator ($67) and get ready for the softest skin of your life.

When you're finally ready to step out of the bathtub, don't just rush into your next activity. Extend the self-care moment a little longer by slathering on a luxurious body butter, like the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter ($36), before putting on a fluffy robe or your comfiest pair of pajamas.